When I booked a trip to Palm Spring, Calif., back in December, I knew I wanted to look into spending a day at a spa around the natural hot springs out there—as a beauty writer, any opportunity I have to try something new and different when it comes to beautification, I am all for it. Enter a cute little place called Miracle Manor in Desert Hot Springs. It's so different from the spas in New York and is completely what I'd think of when I think of an old-school California spa—no frills, tranquil, and laid-back. So laid-back, in fact, that the rooms don't have TVs. No, you're encouraged to do things like read or daydream or look out onto the mountains with your spare time as a form of meditation. And as for the water... Well, that's piped in from the nearby hot springs, and you're encouraged to soak before your treatments. It's hard to describe how the water feels different from bath water. It feels silky and lighter and it makes your skin feel so soft. And I even made friends in the warm pool with some of the guests. There's a very friendly, happy, hug-your-life sort of vibe read more

You might remember back in 2004 that Gwyneth Paltrow showed up to a movie premiere with what looked like giant hickies all over her back—byproducts of an old practice in Eastern medicine called cupping, in which cups are suctioned onto the skin to help "wake up" stagnant blood and energy and increase circulation. Recently on a trip to São Paulo, Brazil, I got the chance to try out at Kennzur Spa. And since I already do her Tracy Anderson workouts, I figured it was the perfect time to get Goopified in a more relaxing way. But, first, a little spa porn. Kennzur is gorgeous, an absolute oasis in the middle of a very large, very packed city. Just check out the grounds: Such a stunning place. I had a two-hour treatment with all the bells and whistles the spa offers, including color therapy, music therapy, aromatherapy, one of the most fantastic Swedish massages of my life, a soak in a whirlpool, and, most important, a short cupping section. Now it's time to 'fess up: I didn't do the exact kind of cupping Gwyneth did. The method that causes the red marks is done by placing little of burning paper under read more

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of staying at the Ponta Dos Ganchos Resort in Santa Catalina, Brazil, a gorgeous, secluded property in the most picturesque fishing village. I know—my job is the best. And I had a revelation while getting a massage in one of their beach huts I have to share with you: Life is 1,000 times better when you're getting a massage on a beach. Check out the view from my massage bed: There's something about the sound of the water and the fact that you're so close to all that nature that puts you on a whole other level of relaxation. And I think you'd get it on any beach, really, although I'd say the specific one I was on was extra special—hey, Beyonce stayed there and even taped part of her documentary Beyonce: Life Is but a Dream there. Oh, and also, my room was a private bungalow with a private plunge pool, a whirlpool, AND MY OWN SAUNA. 'Cause that's how Beyonce and I roll now. We demand our own saunas when we travel. But I digress. If you ever have a chance to get a spa treatment in a setting read more

So you just got dumped or finally broke it off with your no-longer-significant-other and you're looking to do something that'll make you feel pampered and like you're taking care of yourself. So you're thinking "I'll book a massage." I know. I've been there. And I'm here to warn you: That is maybe the worst idea in the entire world, followed closely by the impulsive breakup haircut (remember Felicity?). read more

A couple days ago, I was naked for 90 minutes with a man I had just met. Now, get your mind out of the gutter, folks, I was at the Cowshed Spa for a massage and the therapist happened to be a dude... read more

Remember when I went to Mexico last month? Seems like ages ago. Well, I stayed in Playa del Carmen, a cute little spot 45 minutes south of Cancun, but one day my friends and I rented a car and headed down to the more low-key Tulum, a place known for its lovely spas... read more

There are massages that are done surrounded by candles with gentle strokes that lull you into bliss. Then there are the other kind--the old school, hardcore, dig-until-you-get-the-tightness-out type. And thanks to a knot the size of...something really big and knotty (it's early, cut me a break), I set out earlier this week to find get my first massage of the second category. And here's my report: read more

A couple years ago while on vacation at a tropical resort, Marc and I booked a couples' treatment at the hotel spa. It involved a body scrub and massage and some kind of mild facial. It also involved extreme levels of awkwardness. read more

The philosopher John Locke believed that "a sound mind in a sound body" was a short but complete description of happiness. Over the centuries, spagoers have sought this through baths, saunas, hot-stone massages, and, bizarrely, breast masks. read more

Book a massage? Take a bubble bath? Slap on a face mask and read magazines? Turn off the TV and just zen out for awhile? Go to Sephora and play with eye shadow? What do you do that makes you think Oh, look! I just took care of myself! read more

Ladies, this morning I am writing to you from Miami—my short weekend trip got unexpectedly extended thanks to a snowstorm in New York. While I’ve had fun down here, I’ve also made some interesting/funny/strange beauty observations that I’ll be sharing with you throughout the week. First off: post-massage vibes. After my friends and I splurged for a spa visit on our first day here, I experienced a bit of day-after-a-rubdown soreness, something I had forgotten about until now read more

From our discussion the other day about massages, it appears that a good number of you are heading to the spa for your first-ever rub down in the coming months (hey, these are stressful times). So for those of you who are professional massage newbies, here’s how the experience will go down: read more

I think I slept on my neck funny this week—every time I try to look to the right, I get a sharp pain that feels exactly what I imagine being stabbed with a fork would feel like. My official diagnosis: I need to see a masseuse, stat. Which brings me to my question for today: Have you ever had a professional massage? read more